Hotel Westport

A recent donation to the collection:

This small pamphlet advertises the wonders of Hotel Westport located at Westport Point, MA, at the top of Hotel Hill. Only a portion of the hotel survives today.

Here is the text from the pamphlet:

Hotel Westport, Westport Point, Bristol County, Massachusetts

1894—FIFTH SEASON—1894 Opens June 15th.

HOTEL WESTPORT, at Westport Point, is easily reached from all points north and east, via Boston and New Bedford, Mass., and from all points west and south, via New York City and the Fall River Line to Fall River, or New Bedford, thence to Westport Point, Mass., by carriage, or by public stage.

Hotel Westport is a cozy, first-class seaside hotel, situated on high land, commanding ocean views from Block Island to Martha’s Vineyard, including views of Seconnet Point, Cuttyhunk, Gay Head, and Buzzards Bay.

The hotel faces the Atlantic Ocean and Horseneck Beach Crescent, which extends from the east side of Westport Harbor to Gooseberry Neck, three and a half miles.

The hotel is flanked by the east and west branches of Westport River, which is

studded with lovely islands, and is navigable for vessels drawing ten feet of water from the ocean to the wharves at Westport Point, one mile from the harbor entrance.

Westport Point is pleasantly situated on the sea-coast, equi-distant from New Bedford and Fall River, Mass., and Newport, R. I.

The town of Westport consists of Westport Point, the sea-port; Central Village, Head of Westport, Westport Harbor, and South Westport; it adjoins Dartmouth on the east, Fall River on the north, and Tiverton, R. I. on the west.

Horseneck Beach Crescent lies in the beautiful ocean curve between Seconnet Point and Buzzards Bay. It is directly opposite Westport Point.

The surf bathing is warmer than at any other of the beaches north, owing to the deep course of the beach inland, and the remarkably level, hard sands that form the beach prevent undertow and render it perfectly safe for bathing, and provides a solid surface for driving or walking.

The river and ocean fishing at Westport Point is superb, sea bass, tautog, perch, scup, mackerel, blue-fish and striped bass abound. Bass weighing from ten to fifty pounds each are caught in Westport River above the Point wharves, which is called the best locality for striped bass fishing on the coast. Boats for fishing and sailing can be had at moderate prices.

Arrangements for bathing houses, carriages, laundry work, excursions, etc., can be made at the office of the Hotel, with the certainty of getting the best service at the lowest prices. Being within easy reach of New Bedford, Fall River, Stone Bridge, Seconnet, Adamsville, Westport Harbor, Russell’s Mills, Somerset, Hick’s Bridge and other points of interest, guests can have delightful drives at moderate cost. Berry pastures and groves near the hotel afford diversion for rambles.

Hotel Westport is protected from sun and storms by outside blinds, furnished with electric bells, modern toilets with running water, excellent spring beds, and good attendance. Every room in the Hotel is light, airy, comfortable, and has a charming outlook on river, bay or ocean. There are broad easy stairs, wide halls, and ample fire escapes; the sanitary arrangement and drainage is perfect; the Hotel is supplied with pure water from running springs. There is an excellent stable connected with the Hotel.

The Hotel cuisine will be in charge of an experienced chef, and the service be equal to the best in the country. Fresh fruits and vegetables in season, and pure country milk only used. Fish and lobsters are served fresh from the ocean.

The prices of rooms and board at Hotel Westport are fixed at the lowest rates consistent with first-class service, as follows:

Less than one week, $2.50 to $3.50 per day. By the week, one guest, $12.00 to $18.00. By the week, two in room (each), $11.00 to $14.00. There is no reduction to servants, special rates for one month or the season. Crock, extra meals and baths charged extra.

Guests should send notice of their coming, at least two days before they start, or wire the day before they start, stating the time they will reach New Bedford or Fall River, and the number of persons and trunks, if they desire Hotel carriages, where they will be met accordingly and conveyed to the Hotel at moderate cost.

A public stage leaves 104 North Second street, New Bedford, for Westport Point, daily, except Sundays, at 3 P. M.; also from Wilbur’s Hotel, Fall River, at 2.30 P. M., daily, except Sundays, the fare by either stage being $1.00, each person. The drive by carriage from Fall River or New Bedford is picturesque and beautiful.

Westport Point is well populated, with pleasant surroundings, backed by high lands, and is unrivalled for summer residence. The beauties of ocean, bay, river and inland scenery, combine with fresh, pure breezes and every requisite for comfort, health, mental and physical recreation, rest and enjoyment.

Eldridge Heights—the highlands of Westport—command magnificent views in

The healthfulness of Westport Point is remarkable. The cool, sweet, recreative air of this charming spot cannot, indeed, restore to prolonged life persons already smitten by the last enemy of mankind, but it can and does ensure revival of the depressed, the weary and the hard worn. There are healing virtues in the winds that perfumes, and the impalpable mists that float about.

The surroundings of Westport Point are of the most fascinating of New England landscapes.

Boating, bathing, fishing, wood rambling, and all the enjoyments offered at the seaside are to be found here.

Here the eye wanders over an enchanting panorama of sea and shore, distant hills, and across the blue waters to where Block Island lays low down in the bosom of the Sound. The prevailing breeze is from the southwest, from off the Sound, and the harshness of east winds are seldom felt. The water, too, is warmer than at more northern resorts in the State, and the sea-bathing on that account attracts a great many people.

Choice locations for summer residences can be purchased on Eldridge Heights, and information in regard to lands and cottages can be had by addressing Mr. Henry A. Brown, Saxonville, Mass., until June 20th, after which, Westport Point, Mass., during the season.

every direction. Riverside Avenue has been graded and opened for public travel across the heights by Mr. Henry A. Brown, who has accomplished many improvements at Westport Point in recent years. Eldridge Heights is the property of Mr. Henry A. Brown and his associates. It is in full view from the Hotel.

Many prominent persons from Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston, New Bedford and nearly every State in the Union are regular visitors at Hotel Westport and Westport Point during the summer months.

Hotel Westport—says State Inspector Dexter, “for substantial build, fineness of finish and convenience, Hotel Westport will compare favorably with any summer hotel in this part of the State, and is ahead of most of them.” It was designed by, built and equipped under the personal direction of Mr. H. A. Brown, the well known sugar tariff expert, to supply a long felt public want, and for the development of the most beautiful summer resort on the Atlantic Coast.

From the verandas of Hotel Westport a most glorious view is had. One will never tire of watching the stately ships and steamers, the swift-gliding pilot-boats and small er sailing craft passing before the vision in an almost endless panorama, as many as four hundred and twenty sail have been counted at once from the Hotel veranda. Nothing in natural scenery can exceed the beauty of the views from Hotel Westport.

For Hotel Westport rooms, or circulars, address Wm. B. Southworth, Hotel Jefferson, 118th street, New York City, until June 1st, after which, Westport Point, Mass.

The favorite route to take from New York City, is the Fall River Line. The service of this line is on a large scale, so befitting an enterprise that has, in a sense, the whole civilized world as a constituency, and which numbers in its lists of patrons, representatives from every part of the globe.

Its fleet of steamers are unrivalled and are regular floating palaces traversing Long Island Sound. A band of music on each steamer gives two concerts every evening, and is a treat enjoyed by all.

From New York the steamer leaves Pier 28 North River, foot of Murray street, every afternoon, Sundays included, for Newport and Fall River.

Guests for Hotel Westport take stage from Fall River. From Boston, the route is by the favorite “Old Colony Line” to New Bedford, thence by stage or carriage to Hotel.

The cuts in this booklet are from “A Brightest Summer Land,” published by the Fall River Line.

REFERENCES:

Dr. Kingston Davis, 130 West 44th Street, New York City. Mr. T. W. C. Skilton, Hartford, Conn. Mr. Howard Mendenhall, 1917 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Md. Mr. H. C. McCoun, 617 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, Md. Mr. O. H. Parker, 1700 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Md. Mr. B. H. Huntington, Pres. Dime Savings Bank, Brooklyn, N. Y. General Brooke Postley, 63d Street and 5th Avenue, New York City. Mr. John Buckingham, Watertown, Conn. Mrs. Charles Willing, Germantown, Pa. Mr. Henry R. Hoag, Mills Building, New York City.